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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint

By Michael Fairman

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Christian Howard
Courtesy/ABC

That was quick! Christian Howard, who now looks to have literally stepped in for Nathan Dean to wrap up a few episodes for the character of Ethan Lovett made a quick exit on Friday’s July 31 episode of General Hospital.

GH viewers were stunned earlier this week on the Monday, July 27 episode when a voiceover announcer shared that Christian Howard was now playing Ethan Lovett. Next, Ethan hits the sheets with Ava Jerome, played by three-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Maura West. All seemed to be moving forward when suddenly at the end of the Thursday, July 30 episode, Ethan spots newcomer Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) at the Metro Court Pool, and makes a quick getaway.

Then, it’s revealed after packing his bags at Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) house, that out of nowhere, Ethan received a lead on an incredible opportunity so he has to say goodbye to Lulu and run out of town and was leaving Port Charles.

Courtesy/ABC

RUNNING OUT OF TOWN

In fact, Ethan was in such a hurry, he forgot to say goodbye to Ava who had been waiting for him at the Metro Court pool. There is clearly a connection to Hudson and baby Phoebe after Ethan spotted the guy, because Ethan also glanced over to the baby and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) at the Metro Court pool, before he ran to Lulu’s to pack his things. All of this points to Howard being an emergency recast for Dean.

It’s definitely been a week of change on-screen on the ABC soap with the news of Maxie, Spinelli, James, Georgie and Bailey all suddenly leaving Port Charles for Australia, after Spinelli got an offer he could not turn down.

That exit was written because Kirsten Storms is at this time,, and the very foreseeable future, not returning to General Hospital and is living in Tennessee. As she had documented via her Instagram stories and posts, she has been going through several personal ordeals. In addition to Storms, Ryan Paevey also exited the series earlier this month when he ended his run as Cassius Faison, while leaving the door open for his return down the line.

So, will newcomers Kelly Kruger (Serena Baldwin), Dean Geyer (Tristan Roberts) and Troy Lennon Appel fill the void of the multitude of exits? What are your theories on Christian Howard’s departure as Ethan Lovett on GH? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Makes no sense to me. They knew Nathan was leaving, so why not just write the character out with this exit.
.

I agree. The recast wasn’t going to work. I didn’t see any chemistry between him and Ava.

Comes down to TPTB not planning ahead.

So, it seems that Christian was only neeeded one day on set. This seems eerily similar to when Tyler Christopher departed as Nikolas. They were just going there with Nik & Ava and a temporary, but decent temporary recast stepped in for a few episodes.

Tristian and Serena seem okay so far. Not though to judge Hudson on. At least, according to the credits, Hudson is his first name and not yet another character referred to by their last name.

I agree with your analogy. TBH, I know that ND announced a new kid, but his State of Mind episode makes me think that he’s got other issues going on, too.

Sorry, but it’s Tristan, not Tristian.

Duly noted. Appreciate the catch.

You have to be careful with the soap opera spelling police.

No offense to Christian Howard who seems a likable person; but, couldn’t they have just taped Ethan’s exit with Nathan Dean an used TV magic to insert the new guy at the Metro Court? Ethan and Ava’s hotel scenes seemed a waste since Ethan was leaving anyway.

It seems more likely that Dean finished his four-month contract and they needed more time to film beyond that contract, and he was unwilling to stay, so they recast the role to finish the storyline. Disappointing but that’s how it works sometimes.

He only filmed for 3 months. The recast only was on set for 1 day (stretched out over 3 episodes).

He appeared from April 17 to July 24. That is four months’ time. Not three. And Nathan Dean was on-set from March to June, again, for four months. 😉 Dean himself said four months and that is what he did: four months.

Try again. Do the math. His last episode was July 17. April 17 – May 17 (1), May 17 – June 17 (2), June 17 – July 17 (3). Three months.

If you count that way, yes. However, counted this way: April (1), May (2), June (3), and July (4), it clearly adds up to four months. And again, he aired beyond July 17, so even by your math, he entered into a fourth month (even if not completely).

Either way, per Dean, he was contracted for four months (per his own words), and that’s clearly what he did, and he was not going to stick around beyond that because Frank, Elizabeth, and Chris continue to be too inept and unprofessional to plan a story ahead; instead, they continue to fly by the seat of their pants.

Per SOD, Dean last aired on July 17. He was removed from the cast listing on the credits the week after. I wouldn’t quote an exact date if I didn’t do my homework.

Nothing has been released as to why Dean was unavailable for his final shoot day. Are there issues to hold Frank and the writers accountable for- absolutely – but we really don’t know the whole story here.

And as far as I’ve seen, there is nothing that says Christian Howard filmed for one-day only.

Yeah, OG Steve counted it that way because that’s how time duration is counted.

If he had only been there from April 17 until the end of April we would say he had been there approximately two weeks. He had not been there one month until May 17, two months on June 17 and three months on his last day of July 17.

Thanks for explaining this Michael. I wonder what the real story behind all this is!

I think they realized it wasn’t going to work. He was terribly miscast. So instead of another recast they just had him book town.

All these new guys remind me of Dex. Why not just bring Dex back?

Because you shouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

OK, so Nathan Dean wanted a short term contract to honor Tony Geary, and they gave it to him. Fine, although I don’t think it was much of a tribute to Tony. If Christian Howard was a temporary recast to write the character out, then why didn’t Nathan stay long enough to film those scenes? Doesn’t make sense. And with Jason telling Sonny he is done, Ethan was already on canvas to fill that void.

OK, so Nathan Dean wanted a short term contract to honor Tony Geary, and they gave it to him. Fine, although I don’t think it was much of a tribute to Tony.

It was never done “in tribute” to Anthony Geary. What Nathan Dean said was he began thinking about returning to General Hospital following Geary’s death. And it wasn’t about giving it to him, either. He did not reach out to them; they reached out to him. It was Frank Valentini and Mark Teschner who reached out to him about reprising the role (due to a planned story) and he agreed.

If Christian Howard was a temporary recast to write the character out, then why didn’t Nathan stay long enough to film those scenes? Doesn’t make sense.

Because his contracted time was done, and he was likely unwilling to stick around to finish the story. They wanted three years, then two years, and he was only willing to do four months, and that’s exactly what he did.

glad he is gone was a horrible Ethan

I really liked the other Ethan very sexy and his acting was great! Why did he leave??

His four month contract that he agreed to do was done.

I don’t personally want to see an endless litany of new characters. I’d rather GH actually show characters we know but are barely used–Brad, Diane, Terry, Yuri, for instance.

Please! No more Brad!

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Favorite Amanda Setton Talks Brook Lynn and Chase’s Divorce, Jude Jacks, Baby Phoebe, and What’s Next (Exclusive)

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Amanda Setton

On General Hospital, Brook Lynn Quartermaine’s (Amanda Setton) life as she knows it has turned upside down. First, she and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed divorce papers while in  the Dominican Republic. As much as they loved each other, they just couldn’t get past all the trust issues between them.

Then, right after that, Jude Jax (Wil Traval) shows up at the Q mansion and demands to see his daughter, baby Phoebe! Brook Lynn is thrown for a complete loop. Is this guy claiming to be the biological father of Delilah Wilson’s daughter, which had been adopted by Brook Lynn and Chase, telling the truth? Brook Lynn is on her way to getting to the bottom of his claims.

Meanwhile, Brook Lynn’s portrayer, Amanda Setton just celebrated her first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination, and in the very competitive Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. While Amanda ultimately did not take home the gold statuette, that honor went to The Young and the Restless’ longtime veteran, Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott), she was in great spirits when Michael Fairman TV caught up with her on the red carpet.

Photo: ABC

THE END OF THE LINE FOR BROOK LYNN AND CHASE

When asked how she felt about Brook Lynn being the first (between her and Chase) to put pen to paper on their divorce papers, Settton recalled, “She did. But I’m like, ‘Did she or did he kind of?’ They did it (both of them).”

Getting a new co-star and cast member can go one of two ways, great or not so great, but Amanda had nothing but high praise for Wil Traval’s entrance and performance as Jude Jacks!

THE ARRIVAL OF JUDE JAX

“Wil Traval is fabulous to work with. His debut was so amazing the other day, wasn’t it? He was just such a force and everybody’s faces and reactions when he says that he’s, ‘Jude Jacks, Jerry’s son.’ It was so good and well-played! Wil’s awesome. I’m excited for what’s to come. We’re going to have a lot of stuff together.”

Photo: ABC

According to Amanda, Brook Lynn will have her hands full in the months to come: “There’s a lot of stuff coming down the pike with Baby Phoebe. Will Chase and Brooklyn work together? Will they not? Is it really Jude’s daughter? Lots of questions!”

GRATITUDE TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY HER PEERS

For Setton, being an Emmy nominee meant the world to her, and to finally be acknowledged by her peers in a television career that spanned daytime and primetime including her performances as Kimberly Andrews on One Life to Live. But most importantly for her work in 2025 in the emotional rollercoaster of a story where Brook Lynn learns Gio (Giovanni Mazza) is her biological son.

“It means so much to me,” expressed Amanda. “It really does. I keep using this line, but I really mean it. It feels like a big hug. You know, not everybody who votes for these categories works with you. It’s really a very humbling feeling to know that your work actually touched someone and moved someone enough for them to vote for you. And getting to play the storyline that I got to play was such a privilege. It really was, with the actors I got to play it with. To be a little rewarded for it feels so nice.”

You can check out our chat with Amanda Setton on the red carpet at the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards below. Then make sure to check out all the Michael Fairman Channel red carpet interviews from daytime’s biggest night here.

So, do you think Brook Lynn and Chase will unite to keep baby Phoebe away from Jude Jacks? What do you think of Wil Traval’s performances thus far as Jude? How do you see this story for the custody of baby Phoebe playing out? Were you rooting for Amanda to take home the Supporting Actress gold? Let us know via the comment section below.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Heather Webber Has Everyone on Edge, Walls Close in on Ava and Drew, Sonny Has a Problem Named ‘Josslyn’

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General Hospital Preview

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, Heather Webber (Alley Mills) infiltrates herself back into Port Charles upsetting many a citizen, while Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is making it be known she will not rest till she takes Sonny (Maurice Benard) down, and Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) are now in the hot seat for the murder of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna).

In the just released, ABC video spoilers for the action November 9-13, first we see a stare down between Heather and Ava when they finally come to face-to-face.

Next, Felicia (Kristina Wagner) warns Emma (Braedyn Bruner), “You cannot allow Heather Webber to see herself as a victim!” This is juxtaposed with Heather walking into the PCPD interrogation room. Is she going to incriminate Ava and Drew further on the murder of Jack Brennan … or is she there for something else?

Ava and Drew

Courtesy/ABC

Then, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) tells Joe (Jonathan Bennett), ADA Turner (Nazneen Contractor) and Molly (Kristen Vaganos) that the PCPD has to switch their investigation and put the focus on Ava and Drew.

In the video teaser’s final moments, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) shows up at Sonny’s front door, shouting, “You just keep getting away with everything.” That leads to Sonny to tell Carly (Laura Wright) to get her daughter to back of off him.

Check out the official General Hospital spoilers the week below.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER, 9
Carly makes her loyalty to Valentin clear. Tristan makes a shocking revelation. Chase comes face to face with Jude. Jason and Alexis strategize. Josslyn flies off the handle.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Jason and Brook Lynn compare notes. Emma confronts Heather. Gio and Trina get a new opportunity. Joe and Molly hit pay dirt. Ava meets Serena.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Sonny issues a warning to Carly. Josslyn opens up to Hudson. Jude stands his ground. Drew tries to reassure Ava. Molly confides in Alexis.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Carly fears Sonny’s wrath. Sonny and Ric form a plan. Alexis makes a bold move. Drew gets a reality check. Lucas reassures Josslyn.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Drew pitches a drastic plan. Liz bends the rules for Dante. Josslyn confronts Jude. Brook Lynn opens up to Gio. Britt issues an invitation.

Now below, check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Getting Away with Everything.”

Then let us know, what do you think Heather Webber is up to? Will Ava and Drew actually take the fall for the death of Jack Brennan? Will Sonny stop Josslyn from taking him down at all costs? Share your thoughts and theories in the comment section.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Elizabeth Thinks of Dante While With Ric; Will She Leave Her Ex in the Dust?

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Liz, Dante and Ric

Clearly, head nurse Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) is trying to deny her feelings for Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) on General Hospital, when she is trying to make up for missed opportunities and dates with her former husband, Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst).

On the Friday, November 6 episode, Elizabeth arrived at the Metro Court for her date with Ric. She made sure she thanked the legal eagle for taking care of her house on Halloween when she was called into work.

However, while telling Ric this, Elizabeth is struck by a flashback of her and Dante baking in her kitchen, where a very close encounter almost led Dante and Elizabeth to kiss. After shaking that image off in her head, she goes back to her date with Ric, who is being very sweet to her.

Elizabeth and Ric

Courtesy/ABC

ELIZABETH HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT RIC

Their date gets interrupted when Lulu (Alexa Havins) shows up at their table asking Elizabeth to convince Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) to drop the libel case against her.

Later, when Liz talked with Willow, and Willow shared she appreciated the head nurse looking out for her, she asks her friend if Ric is the kind of man she wants her life?

Willow is pointing out, as she had in her relationship with Drew (Cameron Mathison), does Ric really love Elizabeth  … or is he using her to get what he wants? That comment puts more doubt in Elizabeth’s mind over reconnecting with Ric, and giving her more credence to follow her feelings for Dante.

So, where is this leading? Will Elizabeth cut things off with Ric? If so, will he snap? Is Ric using Elizabeth? And what about Dante? Are you enjoying the growing closeness between Elizabeth and Dante, or do you prefer Elizabeth with Ric? Let us know in the comment section, But first, check what went down on Ric and Elizabeth’s dinner date which lead to more questions than answers below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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